PERSONAL NOTE: On Thursday, December 2, 2021, the world lost a giant in youth ministry. Mel Walker was a mentor, friend, and surrogate uncle to me. He was always willing to talk, pray, and guide me through the path of personal and ministry life. We spoke regularly about the future of youth ministry. I can […]
Here are at least ten proofs! Lock-Ins Are of the Devil
THE MIDDLE YEARS (5th-9th grade, Ages 10-14) ARE A HUGE TIME OF LIFE TRANSITION. IT MIGHT EVEN BE ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TIMES IN A PERSON’S LIFE! Do youth pastors/workers know and understand the transition that is happening in the lives of their students? Do we appreciate the power and the potential for doing effective […]
Helping Students Return to School… Ten Quick Hints and Ideas. 10. Offer Sharing Times, During Regular Meeting Times/Small Groups to Talk, Before and After Their First Week. 9. Be Available Virtually and In-Person After-School for Students That Need to Talk. 8. Support Parents in the Back to School Process. 7. Teach “Back to School” Lesson […]
Discipleship is and Is Not… Some Quick Reflections On What IS and IS NOT Discipleship in our ministries. Discipleship IS Small Groups. It is NOT Cliques. Discipleship IS faith involvement. It is NOT faith information. Discipleship IS a guide on the side. It is NOT a sage on the stage. Discipleship IS an invitation to […]
Youth Ministry, It Is Not About You!
Friend to Father: Youth Ministry Seasons, reflections, and thoughts from 28 years of youth ministry. I didn’t think it would ever happen, but it has! I have become a youth pastor and a father of two students. In fact, I just watched my daughter graduate from High School and my youth ministry while my son […]
Mel Walker was a youth ministry legend, having served actively for over 45 years in youth ministry. He was the author of many excellent youth ministry books, and he was also a curriculum writer. He was a regular trainer and speaker all over the world. He was a youth ministry leader and teacher to so […]
A Note About Mel Walker, One of My Youth Ministry Heroes: On Thursday, December 2, my personal youth ministry hero past away. Mel Walker was a mentor, friend, and surrogate uncle to me. He was always willing to talk, pray, and guide me through the path of personal and ministry life. We talked often about […]
HERE THEY ARE, TEN DIFFERENT KINDS OF YOUTH PASTORS? 10. The Jock They are all about the game. Whether it is a sport, dodgeball, or something they just made up, it is on! They dress like your gym teacher and kind of act like them too. Lesson? Oh yeah, we will hit that up at […]
